Johnson wants to leader at UT

Former South Grand Prairie star off to solid start

AUSTIN (AP) - B.J. Johnson's first run into Royal-Memorial Stadium was almost a flop.

The freshman was just trying to stay on his feet when the Texas Longhorns charged onto the field before the season opener in front of 80,000 fans.

"The first time I came out of the tunnel, I couldn't see because of all the smoke. I almost tripped over somebody," Johnson said. "When I finally got through, I was amazed by all the people in orange and white."

Since that Sept. 9 entrance, there haven't been many stumbles for Johnson, one of Texas' trio of heralded recruits at receiver.

Johnson, the former high school All-American from South Grand Prairie, has lived up to his billing with 10 catches for 168 yards and a touchdown. His 71-yard score against Stanford is the longest play from scrimmage this season for the 13th-ranked Longhorns.

"He's getting better and better," said quarterback Major Applewhite, who praised the new crop of receivers as a whole. Johnson, Roy Williams from Odessa Permian and Sloan Thomas have combined for 21 catches for 372 yards and two touchdowns in three games.

"They're keeping a level head, and that's great," Applewhite said. "Some guys get early success and blow it out of proportion."

For Johnson, staying grounded while trying to be a great receiver started when he was about 7. His dad, Willis, pelted him with passes in the family's front yard. The practice sessions were sometimes painful.

"I would go across the middle and he would drill the ball in my chest every time," Johnson said. "I would tell him quit doing that because it was hurting. I'd come in crying to my momma and she'd tell him to stop but he wouldn't let me. That's really paid off. That's why I'm here now."

Unlike most freshmen who keep their heads down and mouths shut, Johnson is quickly assuming the role of resident loudmouth. With the departure of 1999's consummate trash talker, wideout Kwame Cavil, the job was open for the taking.

"I just come on the field and start yelling for no reason," said Johnson. "That's how I get my game focused."

His scream of choice is simply a loud "Yell!" - a freshman's vocabulary can be limited. With his southern accent rolling off his tongue, it comes out more like "Yale!"

"Just like that. Yay-uhl!" Johnson said.

Johnson said he wants to be a leader for the Longhorns. It's a role he's accustomed to after a stellar high school career.

"Back in high school, I was taught to be a leader," Johnson said.

It's not easy. Aside from the challenges of playing for a top-25 team, the role of team leader has to be earned.

"B.J. is coming close to earning the right to do that," Applewhite said. "Usually you have to go through a season and be around in the off-season."

The hardest part of the college game is the mental aspect, Johnson said. The playbook is much thicker than it was in high school, and returning to the huddle after a busted route or dropped pass is humbling.

"The physical part hasn't been tough for me. It's all mental. But I'm grasping it pretty well. I have confidence I can do anything," Johnson said.

"I'm having a lot of fun," he said. "I told my parents this is what I've been waiting for, to play in front of crowds like this."